espite the recent surge in colleges designated as “test optional,” most schools still require students to take some form of standardized test for admission—usually the ACT or SAT. Consequently, most students will, at some point in the testing process, find themselves wondering whether they should retake the test. It’s an important question to ask: unless you happen to be one of the lucky few who net a perfect score on their first attempt, you need to know how to balance spending time on improving your scores against focusing on other factors in your application.
The simplest way to ascertain whether or not retaking is wise is to compare your actual score with the scores you have been earning on mock tests. For example, if you scored a 29 your real ACT exam but previous practice tests put you in the 33-34 range, you may well have had an off day, and retaking would likely boost your score. On the other hand, if you scored a 32 and have generally been scoring around 33, it may not be the best use of time to study for the test all over again. There are exceptions, of course: maybe you started the process early and have time to spare, or perhaps you need a specific score for a scholarship application.
Review the Scores Needed
It is also important to look at the average scores for the colleges you are applying to. Even if you generally score in the early thirties but on the actual test scored a 29, it may not be a problem if your dream college’s median score is 27. Naturally, everyone wants to score as highly as they can, but it might be a wasted effort if you already meet the mark for the majority of institutions you are applying to. Remember that there’s much more to your application than test scores. Colleges will gain no insight into who you are or the incredible things you’ve done by looking at a series of filled-in dots. So if you’re already comfortably within your chosen school’s score range, you might be better served by spending your time working on your personal essay, or building out your extracurricular list.
Sticking to Schedule
Scheduling is another factor to consider. If you left yourself plenty of leeway for testing in your wider admissions schedule, retaking the test may prove no major inconvenience. But if things are shaping up to be more last-minute, you may find yourself juggling ACT/SAT retakes, college supplement applications, interviews, and extracurriculars—all on top of your continuing academic obligations in school. Even worse, you might find that the only suitable test date occurs while you’re in the midst of studying for finals. In these situations, be mindful of your stress levels and be realistic about what you can achieve. It may be better to make do with the score you have and free up valuable time to focus on other parts of your application—as well as on staying happy and healthy during the last months of high school. Neglecting your mental health to focus on retaking standardized tests is a risky strategy, and it’s unlikely to help you achieve the results you want.
